In my latest of edition of Readers Digest there is an excepted chapter from a book by Bob Odenkirk's book "A Load of Hooey" entitled, "How to Pick a Tatoo".
One of the first things Mr Odenkirk's emphasizes is three things:
1. Do not be in a hurry.
2. Do not be drunk.
3. Do not be drunk and in a hurry.
Tattoos are everywhere these days. It's art and I get that. I suppose there is a lot self expression in that art.
They do have the ability to let people know how you feel about things but they are pretty much forever. I am sure that errors in judgement or spelling can be most humbling.
I really appreciate the tattoos in people's lives that are not quite as physically visible. The lives that bear the mark of life spent doing the right things and in service to Christ are the ones that mean the most to me. I see those whenever I am at church and see the folks that are there. Those are the most impactful works of art I see. And that ink never fades. It's eternal.
Mike Bowen
Friday, November 4, 2016
Friday, October 28, 2016
Devotional 10-28-16
Please read Luke 19:1-10
This week's gospel text is the story of Zacchaeus, the rich tax collector who experienced a radical life-changing transformation when he met Jesus.
This was one of my father's favorite bible passages. It is compelling; who doesn't love a good conversion story. The ornerier the sinner/-cum-saint, the better the testimony. Although we don't know much about Zacchaeus, Luke gives enough details that the original audience would have made no mistake as to his deplorable nature. Zacchaeus, says Luke, was both a tax collector and rich.
I imagine first-century Palestinians didn't like to render unto Caesar any more than peoples of all times and places throughout history. Today we may have disdain for the IRS, but ancient Jews had a better reason for their hatred of tax collectors. These "publicans" were in collusion with the occupying nation to collect taxes from their own neighbors--they were seen as traitors. Moreover, tax collectors got rich by collecting more than the amount due and keeping the extra. No wonder the crowd grumbled when Jesus chose to eat with Zacchaeus.
What dad liked about the story of Zacchaeus is how, when we are looking for Jesus, He finds us. And life will never be the same.
I went to a United Methodist Men meeting with Dad at his church where he shared a devotional he had written based on Zacchaeus's conversion. For Dad, Zacchaeus experienced new life because he was willing to leave his place of comfort--the sycamore tree where he could view Jesus from a distance. How often we might be tempted to watch from afar without any personal commitment or participation. But Jesus says to Zacchaeus and, I think, to us, "hurry and come down!"
When Zacchaeus and when we respond obediently, our lives are changed.
Dad concluded, "Check your fingernails. Do you have sycamore bark from clinging on to keep your distance?"
May each of us seek Jesus and be found.
Jeff Taylor
This week's gospel text is the story of Zacchaeus, the rich tax collector who experienced a radical life-changing transformation when he met Jesus.
This was one of my father's favorite bible passages. It is compelling; who doesn't love a good conversion story. The ornerier the sinner/-cum-saint, the better the testimony. Although we don't know much about Zacchaeus, Luke gives enough details that the original audience would have made no mistake as to his deplorable nature. Zacchaeus, says Luke, was both a tax collector and rich.
I imagine first-century Palestinians didn't like to render unto Caesar any more than peoples of all times and places throughout history. Today we may have disdain for the IRS, but ancient Jews had a better reason for their hatred of tax collectors. These "publicans" were in collusion with the occupying nation to collect taxes from their own neighbors--they were seen as traitors. Moreover, tax collectors got rich by collecting more than the amount due and keeping the extra. No wonder the crowd grumbled when Jesus chose to eat with Zacchaeus.
What dad liked about the story of Zacchaeus is how, when we are looking for Jesus, He finds us. And life will never be the same.
I went to a United Methodist Men meeting with Dad at his church where he shared a devotional he had written based on Zacchaeus's conversion. For Dad, Zacchaeus experienced new life because he was willing to leave his place of comfort--the sycamore tree where he could view Jesus from a distance. How often we might be tempted to watch from afar without any personal commitment or participation. But Jesus says to Zacchaeus and, I think, to us, "hurry and come down!"
When Zacchaeus and when we respond obediently, our lives are changed.
Dad concluded, "Check your fingernails. Do you have sycamore bark from clinging on to keep your distance?"
May each of us seek Jesus and be found.
Jeff Taylor
Friday, October 21, 2016
Devotional 10-21-16
Devotion comes from Luke 18:1-8
This is a story of a persistent widow and a hard hearted judge.
He feared neither God nor man. The widow had a problem which the judge refused
to solve. She tenaciously bombarded the judge until he caved, not because of
fear or regard, but he just got worn down.
This tells me that whatever pursuit which we have, we must
continue to attack the problem and not give up.
Years ago when I was fighting the nickel wars at INCO,
problems would come up which had to solved. Early on, I gave up after a brief
struggle. Later, after being battle hardened by many problems, I found out that
not giving up solves a lot of problems.
A Consultant told us that one of our biggest problems is the
lack of tenacity, that is, giving up too easily.
As we face our daily struggles in daily living and prayer
life, we have to keep trying.
Of course some things are truly unattainable. I’ll never be
as tall as Marv Jones or as smart as Gil Ratcliff. It would be foolish and a
waste of time. However, every day I can strive to be a better Christian,
friend, husband, and church member. Every day I have failures, but thank the
Lord, I can get up in the morning and try again.
A little poem a friend shared with me is titled;
"Don't Quit". It gives the same message as the scripture.
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
when you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit,
rest if you must BUT DON'T YOU QUIT.
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
you can never tell how close you are;
it may be near when it seems so far,
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
it's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Devotional 10-14-16
Please read Jeremiah 29: 1-7
In this reading, Jeremiah is writing to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets and to all the people who have been deported to Babylon.
Jeremiah is writing from Jerusalem to all of these people who have been sent from their lands and family and friends. He tells them that this is a letter from the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel.
The letter tells these people that they are to build homes, plant vineyards and plan to stay. They are to marry and raise families and multiply.
They are to pray for peace and the prosperity of Babylon for if Babylon has peace and prosperity, they will also.
When I read this I had to think about our upcoming Presidential election. It's hard not to when everywhere you look it seems to be the topic. I'm not saying it shouldn't be, it's very important. I guess that what I'm trying to say is that no matter who wins, lots and lots of people are going to be unhappy. There will be many reasons for that and so many of those reasons will be viable but, there is one thing that we can all do.
Before, during and after this election, especially after, pray for peace in our country and around the world. Pray for prosperity in this city, this state and this country. Pray for our leaders, especially if you don't like them. Sitting back and saying "I knew this would be bad for us" only insures it will be bad for us. Praying to our Heavenly Father for wisdom and understanding may not make things change in the blink of an eye but it may change how we look at things or at other people and that can change things, even if it takes a few years, like four maybe.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, As your children we always need your guidance and right now we could use lots of that. Please help us as we try to make the best decisions that we can in this coming election but even more important, help us to remember that we are all your children and we need to pray that whom ever wins this election will need your help and our prayers to do the best job that they can. That will benefit all of us. In your name we pray. Amen
Debbie McGinnis
In this reading, Jeremiah is writing to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets and to all the people who have been deported to Babylon.
Jeremiah is writing from Jerusalem to all of these people who have been sent from their lands and family and friends. He tells them that this is a letter from the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel.
The letter tells these people that they are to build homes, plant vineyards and plan to stay. They are to marry and raise families and multiply.
They are to pray for peace and the prosperity of Babylon for if Babylon has peace and prosperity, they will also.
When I read this I had to think about our upcoming Presidential election. It's hard not to when everywhere you look it seems to be the topic. I'm not saying it shouldn't be, it's very important. I guess that what I'm trying to say is that no matter who wins, lots and lots of people are going to be unhappy. There will be many reasons for that and so many of those reasons will be viable but, there is one thing that we can all do.
Before, during and after this election, especially after, pray for peace in our country and around the world. Pray for prosperity in this city, this state and this country. Pray for our leaders, especially if you don't like them. Sitting back and saying "I knew this would be bad for us" only insures it will be bad for us. Praying to our Heavenly Father for wisdom and understanding may not make things change in the blink of an eye but it may change how we look at things or at other people and that can change things, even if it takes a few years, like four maybe.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, As your children we always need your guidance and right now we could use lots of that. Please help us as we try to make the best decisions that we can in this coming election but even more important, help us to remember that we are all your children and we need to pray that whom ever wins this election will need your help and our prayers to do the best job that they can. That will benefit all of us. In your name we pray. Amen
Debbie McGinnis
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Devotional 10-8-16
Lost Faith
Lectionary
Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137;
2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17: 5-10
The apostles came up and said to
the Master, “Give us more faith.” But
the Master said, “You don’t need MORE faith.
If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a mustard seed, you
could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Go jump in a lake,’ and it would do it.
Luke 17: 5-6. (The Message)
During
the spring of 2007, the children of JM were learning a song, “The Kingdom of
God is like a Mustard Seed”. The lyrics
for this version were based on the Matthew, chapter 13 version of the mustard
seed story. They were happily learning
the song, but didn’t really understand what they were singing about. Most of them had some experience with
planting seeds and watching them grow, but were not making the connection to
their own faith. I had taken pictures of
several large mustard plants and I had a spice jar of mustard seeds, but they
were not impressed. One of the kids then suggested that we plant some seeds and
the adults agreed that it would be a great idea. I searched the seed packet racks for mustard
seeds, but had no luck, so as a last resort we planted 2-3 of the spice jar
mustard seeds in small cups of dirt. The kids marveled during the planting that
the seeds were so tiny and would be easy to get lost, especially if they were
outside and planting in the ground. The kids watered the cups and placed them
on the south facing window sills. I
watered them on the following Wednesday, but there was no change—it still
looked like a cup of dirt. I really
thought that we had planted “processed” mustard seeds and they were not going
to grow anything. My faith in the whole
process was sadly lacking. I didn’t even
have the faith of a tiny mustard seed.
Then,
a week after the big planting, the kids showed up for practice and “WOW!!”, the
little cups showed some definite green shoots emerging from the dirt. We continued to water the plants twice a week
for about a month. The mustard plants grew
to look exactly like the pictures I had googled on the internet and were outgrowing
their cups. The children talked easily
about the tiny seeds they had seen go into the cups and the plants that were
now growing. They joyfully sang “The
Mustard Seed” anthem in morning worship and talked about sharing the story of
these seeds with their family and friends.
They “got” it….
I,
however, still found it difficult to believe.
I didn’t tell any of the kids or the other adults, but I had serious
doubts that the seeds would sprout. During
the planting process, I had such a negative expectation that I was planning what
I could do to assist the kids with their disappointment when the seeds did not
grow. I fully expected the whole project
to be a “bust”. I had not expected a
good outcome, let alone a great outcome.
Thankfully, I was so wrong!!!
In
the Luke version, the disciples start the conversation by asking for more
faith. I can definitely understand the
desire for an increase in my faith. In
this situation, I felt like I did not have any faith at all. And yet, God continued to be at work in the
situation. God was in charge of the universe and my job was to learn and let go
of my doubts. There was no doubt that a plant was growing from a tiny seed. Every
seed of faith, no matter how small, is still powerful enough to be used to
share God’s love with others.
Jesus used the description of this common and
seemingly well-known seed as a way to explain what was needed to help the
kingdom of God grow. Without a doubt,
God has already supplied all that we need to navigate this life. From small steps, little ideas, initial attempts,
etc., great things can develop when we allow God to guide our path. Remember-- “This little light of mine”--
where a small amount of light can make large changes in the environment. And
then there is “It only takes a spark to get a fire going”… We all have something to add to the
picture. We need to fully rely on God
for direction and not be afraid of the outcome.
God will use every situation, discussion and attempt to advance the
cause of LOVE.
Dear God, our guide and teacher,
We thank you for all the lessons and
teachings of your Holy Word. We are
sorry that we do not always have faith in your teachings. You have said that all we need is the faith
of a mustard seed, and yet, sometimes we feel that we do not even that
much. Help us to continue to study and
learn from the example of your son, Jesus.
Lead us to the path that brings us closer to you. You are all that we
need. In His Holy Name, AMEN.
Chyrl Budd
Friday, September 30, 2016
Devotional 9-30-16
This weekend, a magazine will hit the stands with the headline "King of Kings." But it's not about the person you're thinking of. The magazine is Sports Illustrated, and the cover story is about Arnold Palmer, who died last Sunday. Now, I'm not going to compare a golfer to Jesus Christ, but, as the old saying goes, preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. I think we can find some inspiration from the life of Arnold Palmer.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
My Dad was an avid golfer. Many Saturday and Sunday afternoons of my youth were spent with the family gathered around the black and white TV watching golf tournaments. And there was Arnie's Army. The fans sure loved that man! Sort of reminds one of Jesus' followers.
“When people ask what’s driven me all these years, I always give the same answer. It’s you.”
Arnold Palmer and TV were a match made in (yes, I'm going to say it) heaven. He popularized the game and became one of the first sports figures to be a corporate spokesman, which led to a successful business career.
"I'm not much for sitting around and thinking about the past or talking about the past. What does that accomplish? If I can give young people something to think about, like the future, that's a better use of my time."
"Making a positive change in the life of a child is one of the most significant things you can do."
Arnold Palmer was a dedicated philanthropist. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Children are in Orlando, and there are cancer centers that bear his name in Pennsylvania and California.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012, when Senator Harry Reid said, "Golf made you famous, but your tireless efforts to save lives, not your short game, will make you immortal."
Arnold Palmer was known for giving autographs freely and his signature was always legible. He told younger players that if someone takes the time to ask for an autograph, they should take the time to write their names, not scribble their initials. A classmate of mine wrote a lovely remembrance this week and gave me permission to share it:
The year was 1960. An eleven-year old boy, his mom and his best friend headed off for an exciting day of golf spectating. It was the West Virginia Open at Spring Valley Country Club in Huntington, WV. with a first prize of $1,200, and he and his mother and friend were manning one of the volunteer tents supporting the event.
Sam Snead, Art Wall and the charismatic Arnold Palmer were the tournament headliners, and this young boy hoped to at least get a chance to watch them hit a tee shot or two and maybe even get their autographs.
When Snead was approaching the first tee this young golfer attempted to get his autograph and was brushed aside by "Slammin' Sammy" with a comment that has been lost to memory..
Art Wall graciously accepted this young golfer’s request and signed the program that he presented for his autograph.
And then Palmer approached the tee. Although he would end up finishing third in the event, "Arnies Army" was in full attendance as usual admiring and supporting his aggressive, and sometimes erratic, brand of golf.
It needs to be mentioned here that Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournament victories, in four seasons. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.
Yet, when asked for his autograph by this timid 11 year old with his friend by his side, this Master's Champion turned and said "sure kid" and signed his and his buddy’s programs. And then, in true "people’s champion" style, he put his arms around these two idolizing youngsters and posed for a picture with them as if they were his own.
That timid 11 year old was me.
This is the legacy of Arnold Palmer. An incredible golfer, businessman, humanitarian, and most of all a champion who took time to make a couple of young boys’ day! --Fred Nickles
"The more I practice the luckier I get."
Anita Gardner Farrell
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
My Dad was an avid golfer. Many Saturday and Sunday afternoons of my youth were spent with the family gathered around the black and white TV watching golf tournaments. And there was Arnie's Army. The fans sure loved that man! Sort of reminds one of Jesus' followers.
“When people ask what’s driven me all these years, I always give the same answer. It’s you.”
Arnold Palmer and TV were a match made in (yes, I'm going to say it) heaven. He popularized the game and became one of the first sports figures to be a corporate spokesman, which led to a successful business career.
"I'm not much for sitting around and thinking about the past or talking about the past. What does that accomplish? If I can give young people something to think about, like the future, that's a better use of my time."
"Making a positive change in the life of a child is one of the most significant things you can do."
Arnold Palmer was a dedicated philanthropist. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Children are in Orlando, and there are cancer centers that bear his name in Pennsylvania and California.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012, when Senator Harry Reid said, "Golf made you famous, but your tireless efforts to save lives, not your short game, will make you immortal."
Arnold Palmer was known for giving autographs freely and his signature was always legible. He told younger players that if someone takes the time to ask for an autograph, they should take the time to write their names, not scribble their initials. A classmate of mine wrote a lovely remembrance this week and gave me permission to share it:
The year was 1960. An eleven-year old boy, his mom and his best friend headed off for an exciting day of golf spectating. It was the West Virginia Open at Spring Valley Country Club in Huntington, WV. with a first prize of $1,200, and he and his mother and friend were manning one of the volunteer tents supporting the event.
Sam Snead, Art Wall and the charismatic Arnold Palmer were the tournament headliners, and this young boy hoped to at least get a chance to watch them hit a tee shot or two and maybe even get their autographs.
When Snead was approaching the first tee this young golfer attempted to get his autograph and was brushed aside by "Slammin' Sammy" with a comment that has been lost to memory..
Art Wall graciously accepted this young golfer’s request and signed the program that he presented for his autograph.
And then Palmer approached the tee. Although he would end up finishing third in the event, "Arnies Army" was in full attendance as usual admiring and supporting his aggressive, and sometimes erratic, brand of golf.
It needs to be mentioned here that Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournament victories, in four seasons. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.
Yet, when asked for his autograph by this timid 11 year old with his friend by his side, this Master's Champion turned and said "sure kid" and signed his and his buddy’s programs. And then, in true "people’s champion" style, he put his arms around these two idolizing youngsters and posed for a picture with them as if they were his own.
That timid 11 year old was me.
This is the legacy of Arnold Palmer. An incredible golfer, businessman, humanitarian, and most of all a champion who took time to make a couple of young boys’ day! --Fred Nickles
"The more I practice the luckier I get."
Anita Gardner Farrell
Friday, September 23, 2016
Devotional 9-23-16
Each week there are several scripture options to help devotional writers. And as I prepare to write my devotion, I always check to see what the week’s scriptures have to say. Well, this week I was startled by the consistency of their themes—so similar I felt moved to use them as a basis for my devotion. But be prepared. They deal with conflict, persecution, suffering, torture, grief…and death. But isn’t it true that we find ourselves in a world just like this? So it’s an appropriate topic related to the scriptures for this week, right? Take a look (they’re all brief but very thought provoking and revealing).
Scriptures:
Wow. The impact still has me struggling. And yet, it is timely and significant, something I’m sure we all think about daily. We are shocked at the cruelty and inhumane actions of Isis. We are confused about the supposed combined efforts of the United States and Russia to end the war in Syria (how many times now?) knowing the political implications are always there, at the expense of innocent civilians—many who are children, murdered and dying, imprisoned in a place from which they cannot escape.
There is the hatred by some in our own country who have their own terroristic agenda, be it racial, religious or political—yes, political! So much chaos has invaded our lives we don’t know how to handle it, where to turn, or what to do. I have become so discouraged, and fearful of what the future holds for our children and their children. What is happening and why? Can we do anything about it? Here is what I think God would like us to consider:
PRAYER. Well, we will pray—sincerely turn to Him in prayer to share our hopes, our fears, and our concerns for ourselves and for others here and far away who continually suffer.
LISTENING. God has such good advice for us if we just listen. He will guide us with answers, let us know what we should do not only for ourselves, but for others who are far worse off.
TRUSTING. We will trust in God to help us accomplish His will.
HAVING FAITH. We will have faith. A constant and unified effort by ALL Christians everywhere, working in numerous ways to restore world peace, can work—if we work. God will see and He will hear. He will know that, as Christ’s disciples, we are sincere in our desire to initiate the healing process.
SPREADING HOPE. We must not give up.
SPREADING LOVE. It begins with loving one another.
Ambitious? Yes. Time consuming? Yes. An unbelievable and complicated task? Absolutely!
Risky? Of course. Are we naïve? Perhaps, but Possible? With God’s help…all things are possible.
Diane Feaganes
- Psalm 79: 1-9
- Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
- Psalm 4
- 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Wow. The impact still has me struggling. And yet, it is timely and significant, something I’m sure we all think about daily. We are shocked at the cruelty and inhumane actions of Isis. We are confused about the supposed combined efforts of the United States and Russia to end the war in Syria (how many times now?) knowing the political implications are always there, at the expense of innocent civilians—many who are children, murdered and dying, imprisoned in a place from which they cannot escape.
There is the hatred by some in our own country who have their own terroristic agenda, be it racial, religious or political—yes, political! So much chaos has invaded our lives we don’t know how to handle it, where to turn, or what to do. I have become so discouraged, and fearful of what the future holds for our children and their children. What is happening and why? Can we do anything about it? Here is what I think God would like us to consider:
PRAYER. Well, we will pray—sincerely turn to Him in prayer to share our hopes, our fears, and our concerns for ourselves and for others here and far away who continually suffer.
LISTENING. God has such good advice for us if we just listen. He will guide us with answers, let us know what we should do not only for ourselves, but for others who are far worse off.
TRUSTING. We will trust in God to help us accomplish His will.
HAVING FAITH. We will have faith. A constant and unified effort by ALL Christians everywhere, working in numerous ways to restore world peace, can work—if we work. God will see and He will hear. He will know that, as Christ’s disciples, we are sincere in our desire to initiate the healing process.
SPREADING HOPE. We must not give up.
SPREADING LOVE. It begins with loving one another.
Ambitious? Yes. Time consuming? Yes. An unbelievable and complicated task? Absolutely!
Risky? Of course. Are we naïve? Perhaps, but Possible? With God’s help…all things are possible.
Diane Feaganes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
